Doubtful. But I think just pulling them would be a little bit more effective as you would be removing a larger part(deeper into the ground) of the plant that would need to be regrown. If it is a thistle that spreads with rhizomes, you surely haven't seen the end of it.

I have often wondered about infecting it with that virus that you sometimes see yellowing thistle stands. But I am afraid it infect other plants too.

Rick

That yellow aster stuff that thistles get I believe also infects carrots and other memebers of that family :(
So that probably wouldn't be a good idea. Pulling them, spot spraying them, pouring white vinegar on them (works when they are small) -Oh yeah! I should mention that this works great to kill weeds sneaking up through pavement cracks and at the foundation! :)

-Marie

That is exactly what was in the back of my mind about the virus, Marie. I suppose cider vinegar would work as well as white vinegar, but would also atract ants and/or bees.

Burning is fun! With water hose in hand, I torched a couple little bluestems this spring. Took about 5 seconds each, but it was quite spectacular.

Rick

Rick, I should probably post this on exchanges - but you want some more bluestems? I have some that really do stand up very upright and I am thinning them drastically this year - will have several pots for the June swap! I can't let many of them get too tall or go to seed as they fall into the alley and the neighbors and City get annoyed. I'm looking forward to hearing from folks about how to deal with some of my interesting stuff! :)

-Marie

Oh, and cider vinegar DOES work - silly me, got distracted there... but yep it does attract yellowjackets and flys.

-Marie

Thanks Marie. I would like one of your Bluestems.